Why Should I Take Childbirth Classes?
The Importance of Education and Preparation for Birth
Now that you are pregnant and the excitement subsides, reality takes hold. You turn your mind to the care of your baby, and yourself. One of your first tasks is to select a healthcare provider who will care for you throughout your pregnancy. Once that is accomplished, you begin gathering information about pregnancy and birth. Like most people today, we collect pregnancy books, and head off to the internet to find the answers to our questions. The internet offers an endless variety of resources, but it’s important to know that information on the internet can sometimes be misleading or inaccurate. A balance of sources like books, internet, professional classes and your doctor is best. The decisions you make throughout your pregnancy will be based on the information you receive.
Types of Childbirth Classes
Childbirth classes are designed to teach pregnant women and their partners how to manage the childbirth experience. Some childbirth classes are strictly informational, addressing the main topics you need to know about childbirth and the first weeks after. Other classes focus on a birthing theory, offering coping techniques through demonstration, active participation, and informed decision making. Lamaze and Bradley are examples of these classes. Many other classes combine ideas and techniques from these various methods.
Why Take a Childbirth Class?
Preparing for labor is not unlike preparing to run a marathon. A marathon runner once stated “to run a marathon is miles and miles of pain and exhaustion, but when you cross that finish line you will have completed one of the greatest accomplishments of your life." The same is true for birthing your baby. How do marathon runners get their bodies and minds ready? Preparation and training.
Learning what your body is capable of and what you can do to help it cross the finish line helps you to be more prepared for the tasks ahead. The techniques you learn in class will teach your body to tackle the challenges of labor and birth, both physically and mentally. Tapping into energy stores and using breathing, relaxation techniques and comfort measures help balance the demands of labor.
The physical preparation is not the only benefit to attending a class. Face to face instruction provides opportunities for practice and the memory needed to build mental toughness and stamina necessary to weather the difficult moments of labor. Repetition is important when establishing memory. By practicing coping techniques over and over, a pattern is created in the brain that allows information to be stored, retained and more easily recalled especially during stressful periods, like labor. Similar to walking on a path that is heavily wooded, the more often you travel across it, the easier it becomes to walk it. The path becomes obvious. The brain behaves the same way to create learned pathways. Every labor offers moments when coping techniques are useful.
Childbirth classes also provide the opportunity for your partner to learn how to comfort and support you during labor. The birthing process is very demanding on both of you. Discussion with your instructor and questions from others in class will offer more points of view for you and your partner to consider. Support from the people around you is essential to successfully manage labor. The familiarity and bonding that develops through your continued practice in class and out, offers comfort, security and confidence at a time when your own stores are vulnerable and taxed. Research shows that support of women during labor decreases maternal complications and shortens labor, when mother and baby are doing well. Knowing what to do to be helpful and supportive also gives the partner a sense of control at a time when there seems to be little. Confidence and comfort with the tools and techniques for labor can be empowering to new parents as they enter into the unfamiliar territory of the birthing process.
How to Select the Right Childbirth Class for You
Knowing what birthing approach is best for you is the first step to selecting the most appropriate classes. A basic labor and birth class with an introduction to breathing and relaxation will provide the knowledge you need to decide. These classes offer information on the normal stages of labor, discussion of possible interventions, such as medications, assisted delivery and cesarean sections. If you find that you would like to follow a more natural approach to labor, select a class that provides the tools needed to manage a natural labor. Many organizations offer such classes. You may find yourself needing more than one class. Also find out about other classes that will help you prepare for caring for your baby, such as baby care and breastfeeding classes and infant CPR.
Feeling knowledgeable, supported, confident and empowered are the amazing results many women feel after attending childbirth classes. Couples often express how much they have enjoyed the camaraderie and dialogue with other expectant parents. Some have friendships even last a lifetime.
The American Academy of Pediatrics makes these recommendations to help you choose the best class for you.
Whatever class you’re considering, ask in advance about:
- The topics and methods of childbirth that will be emphasized
- Whether the classes are primarily lectures or also involve your active participation
- What is the instructor’s philosophy about pregnancy and birth?
- Is he or she certified?
- Will you learn proper methods for breathing and relaxation?
- What will the classes cost? Is there a limit on class size?